Bo's Warriors -Introduction Part 5

Bo’s Warriors -   Introduction continued   (5)

 

In 1935, in Ann Arbor, the Big Ten championship in track and field was hosted by Michigan. Within 45 minutes(of competition), Jesse Owens tied the 100 yard world record; and set world records in the long jump, 220 yard sprint and the low hurdles. In the Summer Olympics of 1936, held in Berlin, Germany with all the Nazi propaganda, in front about of Adolph Hitler, Jesse Owens won gold medals in the 100 and 200 m dash, the long jump and the 4 x 100 relay. Do not forget that there was racial segregation and discrimination at that time, even for this celebrated Olympian.

In basketball, Bobby Knight played on the 1960 NCAA championship winning Buckeye squad. As a head coach, he led his NCAA Division I teams to 902 victories which is currently third on this prestigious list of basketball coaches. Coach Knight also was victorious in three NCAA championship games and won 11 Big Ten titles. Bobby coached the 1984, men’s Olympic basketball team to gold as well. Currently he is a media basketball analyst.

Jack William Nicholas was born in Columbus, Ohio, on January 21, 1940. I’m sure that “the Golden Bear” remembered that 1969 Ohio State game with Michigan. This golfing legend has won 18 career major championships and has a total of 73 PGA tour victories during the process. On a side note, Tiger is chasing him as far as career majors go. Even if the Golden bear falls to number two, that doesn’t take away anything from his contribution to the golfing world.

On the gridiron, some All-Americans from the Buckeyes defeat in Ann Arbor in 1969 include Jack Tatum(1968, 1970), also known as “the assassin”; Rex Kern, quarterback(twice finished in the top 5 for Heisman voting); Jim Otis, fullback(scored four touchdowns in that 1968 blowout against Michigan); safety Mike Sensibaugh 1970, defensive back who has the most career interceptions; middle guard Jim Stillwagon 1969, 1970, two-time All-American defensive lineman, who won both the Outland and the Lombardi trophy; Tim Anderson defensive back 1970; John Brockington, fullback, 1970; Jan White tight end, 1970.

Two other OSU football-All-American and Heisman winners include two time winner running back Archie Griffin 1974, 1975 and running back Eddie George, 1995. NFL Hall of Fame greats include: Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy, half back 1954-1955; Jim Parker, 1955-1956; wide receiver Cris Carter, 1986; Chris Spielman, 1986-1987 to name just a few from their impressive list.

Back to the Buckeyes and the Wolverines on the gridiron. These two colleges have played 108 football games between themselves. Michigan has been the overall winner 58 times with 6 ties. Ohio State University has 44 victories in the series. Michigan has attained 42 Big Ten championships compared to Ohio State’s 34. As far as national championships go, Michigan holds title 11-7. The Wolverines overall record is 903 wins, 315 losses and 36 ties for a .734 winning percentage. Ohio State University has 837 victories for a .716 winning percentage in their illustrious history. The Buckeyes have 7 Heisman Trophy winners and the Wolverines 3. The Buckeyes have 42 bowl appearances, while the Wolverines have 41. Yes, Michigan’s “Big House” seats over 111,000 compared to OSU’s “The Shoe” which seats over 102,000. And in 2010, the Wolverines averaged 111,823 in attendance, an NCAA record and has the largest crowd of 113,823 also an NCAA record. The regional and national rivalry between these two great universities is simply legendary.

Philanthropy

On a lighter side, the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) chapters at Michigan and Ohio State came up with a creative way to give back during “the rivalry.” This rivalry has been called the greatest in North American sports and the fraternity takes advantage in a positive way.

The Ohio State chapter has adopted the Stephanie Spielman (all American Chris’s wife) fund for breast cancer research, while the Michigan chapter donates to the American Cancer Society. They decided to run a relay. One chapter (visiting team) carries an official game ball from their football Stadium, to the home team Stadium. In essence, both chapters meet in Findlay, Ohio, and pass (visitors) the ball to the other (home team) chapter to carry and arrive before Saturday’s kickoff. The distance covered, between the two stadiums, is roughly 187 miles and takes the students over 30 hours to go from one Stadium to the other. Way to go fellow Greeks. As an alumni of Sigma Alpha Mu, I applaud your spirit and you’re giving back to society.

And now the story.